Tag: bedroom redesign

Do you feel as if your bedroom is off somehow but not quite sure what the problem is? Here are five common decorating mistakes and ideas on how you can fix them.

Lighting

The feeling that your bedroom is too bright or too dark is a shared problem for a lot of people. The main problem is that there are many bedrooms with only overhead lighting in the room. They are often blinding and not very functional. Overhead lights does not even give you the correct light to let you read a book.

Instead, try layer lighting throughout the room. In a bedroom, just as in any other space, you need ambient (general, ceiling-mounted) lighting to illuminate the entire room; task lighting (on bedside tables and vanities) to provide focused light for reading and other activities; and accent lighting, (in the form of wall sconces for example) to add drama, wash the room in soft illumination and lend a cozy, welcoming vibe. Lights at different levels and in different areas create a mood that’s warm and inviting. Dimmers allow you to adjust wattage depending on the time of day and the mood you want.

Trying to Match Bed Linens with Wall Color

It is a good idea to stay in the same color palette, just be sure to mix in different patterns and prints for a more interesting and attractive look:

So pretty together and a lot less boring!

Too Small Window Treatments

I know that you hear this often, but it is a very important detail. Your curtains need to touch the floor. That means the pole should hang between top of window frame and ceiling. If ready made curtains are too short for this height, then buy the longer set and have them hemmed. I also see the ‘skimpy’ width panels that look, well, look skimpy! An easy rule of thumb to remember is that your width of your curtains should be the double width of the window. For example, if your window frame width across is 50”, then 100” is what your curtain width should be. For ready made curtains, I usually find ordering two sets and sewing two panels together works perfectly. Also, extend your poles as far out as possible which will allow you to open fully.

This is a common decorating mistake that can easily be fixed. My grievance is the issue of artwork being too small over the bed that makes it looks as if it is floating in space. Too small of a piece of artwork looks lost and sad.

How to figure out the right size that will look perfect over your bed? The best starting point is to keep your finished piece, (the edges of the canvas or frame) between 60-80% the width of the headboard. I prefer the 80% because it looks most pleasing. For example, for a standard 76 inch wide king bed you should consider art that is between 40”×50” or 48”×60” for a little larger size.

Or if you want to hang a pair of images or a gallery wall, treat the whole thing as one piece that’s between 45 and 60 inches wide. This is just a starting point for you to try. Experiment with taping paper above your bed until you get the look you love!

Have you updated your master bedroom within the last few years? Does your room always get pushed aside for other projects? Well, let’s make 2018 the year for you to refresh your bedroom retreat:

Maybe you only need a quick mini-facelift with updated accessories. January is home décor sale month so now is the time to purchase new items.

But if you are looking for advice for a complete bedroom do over, this post is for you!

Step One: The Bed.

The bed is the focal point/star of the room. You must make it a statement piece to get that ‘wow’ look for the room. How?

Headboard: Do you love your existing headboard? Are you ready for a change? Have you considered using a headboard only, no side rails or footboard? This is a great choice if your space is at a minimum. I have been suggesting upholstered headboards for bedrooms because they give you the best (modern, classic) look at many different price ranges:

Look at the customer reviews to help narrow your search. Another reason I like using an upholstered headboard is that the fabric helps soften all the hard edges in the room, (walls, dressers, etc.) The color I suggest purchasing is an off white or ivory. Both will work well with both white bedding or beige bedding:

I try to steer away from beige headboards because beige has undertones, strong red or yellow, and may be difficult to find bedding to work well. Look how this headboard is ‘sticking out’ and clashing with the bedding:Read More

I love posting the list of reader favorites each year. Reviewing my posts brings back memories of what I have accomplished over the year. Hopefully I have also taught you a new trick or two along the way.

I have been not only getting ready for Christmas this past week, I have also been moving to my new, full time home in New Hampshire:

Today:

It has been a crazy couple of weeks, but I am really enjoying myself. I think part of this joy might be that both my kids and the new baby Jameson is coming to spend Christmas here! I can’t wait!

Anyway! When we moved one of the bedrooms upstairs around, I wanted to use this wood headboard we brought from our previous home in RI that both my husband and I love. When we put against the wall, I really was struck how beautiful the wood looked with the wall color:

Marsha, we have outdone ourselves this time with your guest bedroom makeover! As always, working with you has been such a pleasure. I love how well we work together searching and finding the next perfect piece to our design puzzle. Your new guest room is just beautiful! :

Marsha and I have worked on several home projects online together in the past few years. She lives in Illinois, I am in New Hampshire. This time she was looking to update her guest room: